PLAYER TO WATCH: Grigorenko, 18-year-old Russian-born first-round draft pick, who will be given opportunity to immediately make Sabres roster. Skilled, playmaking center already has 29 goals, 21 assists for 50 points in 30 games for Patrick Roy-coached Quebec of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.

OUTLOOK: Sabres counting on additions of grit (Ott, Scott) and skill - including late-season acquisition of C Cody Hodgson - to improve high-priced under-achieving lineup that was one of NHL's biggest busts last year. Must stay healthy and get consistent goaltending from Ryan Miller, and steady production from top-two lines to start matching free-spending owner Terry Pegula's objective to deliver a winner.

PLAYER TO WATCH: The focus in Toronto continues to be on the turnstile in goal, a position that's been unsettled since Curtis Joseph led the Leafs to their last playoff berth in 2004 (yes, two NHL lockouts ago). Unless the Maple Leafs do go ahead and make a push to trade for Vancouver's Roberto Luongo, they'll settle on the tandem of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens.

OUTLOOK: Unsettled as usual. The Maple Leafs couldn't even get out of the lockout without making headlines by firing GM Brian Burke last week. Toronto has more than enough offensive punch, particularly with the addition of van Riemsdyk. The question always remains whether they have enough defense and goaltending to end what's now a seven-season playoff drought.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres each took their first steps toward putting behind a pair of disappointing seasons.

If the recent matchups in Toronto are any indication, the Maple Leafs might have the better chance to win in their next game as well.

While trying to get off to another strong start, they'll seek a sixth consecutive home victory over the Sabres on Monday night.

Owners of the league's longest active playoff drought, Toronto hasn't made it to the postseason since 2003-04 and hasn't finished with more than 85 points in any of the past five campaigns. The Maple Leafs failed to build on 4-0-1 starts in each of the last two seasons.

"We haven't made the playoffs," coach Randy Carlyle said. "When you're the butt of jokes in the hockey world, it's not fun. We take that seriously."

Toronto won its season opener once again, 2-1 in Montreal on Saturday, as Ben Scrivens stopped 21 shots in his 12th NHL start. James Reimer is expected to be the Leafs' top starter this season but Scrivens was a little fresher, having played in a team-best 22 games this season for the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate.

"In a shortened season like this, we're going to have earn points on every night that we can," Scrivens said. "It's nice to start off on the right foot."

Buffalo missed the playoffs for the third time in five seasons in 2011-12 despite owner Terry Pegula opening his checkbook. The Sabres got their quest to return to the postseason off to a strong start with a 5-2 win over visiting Philadelphia on Sunday.

"I thought we had a good week of practice, training camp. Obviously, we wanted to start out with a win. We got that accomplished and we'll enjoy it for an hour and move on," said forward Thomas Vanek, who had Buffalo's first five-point game since Jan. 18, 2008.

Vanek finished with two goals and three assists, and linemate Jason Pominville had three assists.

"They spent a lot of years playing together. You go all the way back to their days in (AHL) Rochester," coach Lindy Ruff said. "Those two guys are a little bit like glue."

Steve Ott also scored in his debut for Buffalo (1-0-0) and will next try to help his new team end its lengthy drought in Toronto. The Maple Leafs (1-0-0) have also earned at least one point in each of their last eight home games with the Sabres.

Vanek and Pominville each had eight points (two goals, six assists) in last season's series, but Vanek had only one assist in the three games in Toronto.

Reimer and Scrivens, meanwhile, each recorded a home win over the Sabres last season. Scrivens, though, also gave up a career-worst six goals in an overtime loss in Buffalo on April 3, while Reimer has done enough to earn wins in four of his last five matchups.

Ryan Miller has lost in each of his last six games in Toronto, posting a 3.40 goals-against average. He's 3-6-0 with a 3.36 GAA in his last nine overall matchups with the Maple Leafs.

Mikhail Grabovski has five goals and two assists in his last seven games against the Sabres.

Buffalo's Ville Leino, one of the players signed with Pegula's money before last season, is doubtful to play at Air Canada Centre because of a leg injury while the Maple Leafs' Joffrey Lupul is expected to play his first game since signing a five-year contract extension.